[Project Shadow]

So my wife took my x5 M50i for a break in period oil change… I told her to tell them to do all the fluids, transmission/differentials etc… and they refused to do it… so I’ll be going up there next week… they’re argument was that they have some miracle lube that doesn’t grind down gears in the transmission/all wheel drive etc… I’m calling bullshit… you just want an expensive repair down the road… I’ll be taking it in next week, and the story will, once again…

[Tejas1836]

Just to be clear, how many miles?

[weinerbarn]

There is no scheduled break in period oil change for an X5 M50i. I’m surprised they wouldn’t do it though if you’re willing to pay out of pocket.

[espressoo]

Are you paying out of pocket for these services or are you expecting it to be covered under the standard maintenance plan? To be covered under the maintenance plan the services has to be outlined in the scheduled maintenance interval. If I recall, only full fledged "M" cars have the 1,200 service interval where BMW covers an oil change and diff fluid. iDrive prompts you to remind you of whatever service is needed. It did with my F80 for the 1,200 break-in service. Unless you track or drive your cars very hard, I would stick to the maintenance intervals.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by weinerbarn

There is no scheduled break in period oil change for an X5 M50i. I'm surprised they wouldn't do it though if you're willing to pay out of pocket.

I thought all ///M vehicles (including the M50i) had the 1200-mile break-in fluids change, or is that only the X5M?

[weinerbarn]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

I thought all ///M vehicles (including the M50i) had the 1200-mile break-in fluids change, or is that only the X5M?

Only the X5M or other “M” cars. The M50i does not fall under this category. The system will tell you if it needs the 1200 run in service. It will actually start a countdown from the factory. The reason is they actually have different fluids from the factory that have to come out or they’ll cause wear problems. The other vehicles don’t need it.

[Blue87]

If you read the manual it discusses the break-in period (0-1200, 1201-2400 miles) restrictions and the first service is based on oil condition (about a year later). I kind of wanted an oil change too and it seems it's not a priority nor is it required by BMW.

[Project Shadow]

I was going to pay out of pocket, it’s just something I’ve done with all my new vehicles, and it’s probably an ‘old school’ thing now with new technologies etc… but my cars always lasted so now I’m like 🤷*♀️

[Project Shadow]

I’ve just always assumed that if an engine needs the oil replaced, I’d assume the transmission and differential would need to be replaced as well, due to moving parts… do any of you have high mileage vehicles to where you just went with the recommended service intervals?

[Blueboxer]

They consider the ZF transmission a closed unit and the fluids to remain for the lifetime of the transmission. I have had dealerships decline doing the transmission service on previous BMWs for that reason. My independent mechanic was willing to do it, but he did advise that sometimes the transmissions will grenade soon after for some reason or another, so he advised only doing it while there was still a warranty. I will say, the fluid is very expensive.

[Project Shadow]

Wow blue boxer, thanks for the info :-)

[Project Shadow]

Originally Posted by Blue87

If you read the manual it discusses the break-in period (0-1200, 1201-2400 miles) restrictions and the first service is based on oil condition (about a year later). I kind of wanted an oil change too and it seems it's not a priority nor is it required by BMW.

Thank you 👍

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by Project Shadow

IÂ’ve just always assumed that if an engine needs the oil replaced, IÂ’d assume the transmission and differential would need to be replaced as well, due to moving partsÂ… do any of you have high mileage vehicles to where you just went with the recommended service intervals?

I have a 2003 Mercedes E320 that my dad bought new and I bought from him, 270,000 miles and he never did any services earlier than what MB recommended although back then, their schedule was engine oil every 10k miles and transmission fluid every 40k miles.

General rule of thumb for an open rear differential is that fluid can go nearly forever, change every 100k if you want to but I've never heard of any open diff failing or wearing out. Limited slip differentials vary drastically from one type to another so you'll want to follow manufacturer advice for the particular diff. BMW / M always have specific recommendations for each of their LSDs.

Automatic transmissions should have their fluid and filter changed every 40-60k miles if you want them to last forever. The newer generation fluid can go a lot longer and keep the internals clean before needing to be replaced so even 80k miles can be fine but if you want it to last and shift well past 200k, I wouldn't wait past 80k personally.

The need for a break-in service mainly depends on what fluid the factory initially fills with and how well the part is assembled in the first place. I've seen numerous Porsche and BMW engines at around 1,000 miles get their first oil change and there's nearly no metal or anything coming out but then you can do 3 or 4 oil changes on a Ford Voodoo V8 (Shelby GT350) before 1,000 miles and it will still be dumping out a scary amount of metal shavings.

[Project Shadow]

Wow… thank you Remonster… I’m coming from a Ford, and this is my first BMW, and I’m paranoid lol… reading everyone’s comments and past experiences etc, is making me feel a whole lot better… and we just bought my wife a new x4, she’s coming from a 2012 VW Tiguan… but from what I’m hearing so far, is that they are reliable vehicles if maintained properly… :-)

[jad03060]

All of the German vehicles have some fairly comprehensive preventative check/maintenance procedures. They may not actually require replacing/replenishing parts or fluids, but the labor to check everything is one reason why the maintenance costs can be higher once out of warranty. But, if the checks are done, and whatever shows up as needing service is done, they will last a very long time.

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by Blueboxer

They consider the ZF transmission a closed unit and the fluids to remain for the lifetime of the transmission. I have had dealerships decline doing the transmission service on previous BMWs for that reason. My independent mechanic was willing to do it, but he did advise that sometimes the transmissions will grenade soon after for some reason or another, so he advised only doing it while there was still a warranty. I will say, the fluid is very expensive.

Blue boxer, I have seen you post this a few times and the information above is not correct. Particularly the part where the trasmisson goes bad after a fluid change.

The ZF transmission is NOT a sealed or closed system. The trasmission is designed to be serviced. BMW can and will service the transmission.

ZF has recently changed their fluid chemistry and also recently change their interval recommendation. Their new intervals are still based on how the vehicle is driven and how much load the transmission is under (force put on the transmission due to engine torque). The fluid must, at a minimum be changed at 93K Miles (Coversion from KM) with their new fluid or sooner based on those loads. Old fluid I would use the older intervals discusses in the last paragraph.

I think your issue in previous threads was using the word flush. ZF is a drain and refill system. And while some fluid will remain in the torque converter, sufficient new fluid is added renew protection (It takes 5L on average to refill). This is why you do it sooner when you are heavily using the car and adding high heat to the transmission fluid. Heat is the number one killer of transmission due to fluid deteriorating, taking away its ability to cool and maintain good viscosity in the box.

ZF used to recommend an interval of 49K miles to 62K miles (Coversions from KM). So the fluid is NOT a forever fluid and the transmission is NOT sealed. There is even a published procedure for this and BMW has done all of ZF my fluid changes. My ZF in the F30 has been drained and refilled at every 60K, I am due for a third fluid change here soon since I am approaching 180K miles.

[weinerbarn]

I think the confusion comes from the fact that BMW doesn’t have a scheduled service interval for the transmission and elude to the fact it doesn’t need changing

“LONG-TERM RATED FLUIDS AND OILS
The following systems and assemblies are factory-filled with long-term rated fluid and oil; fluid replacement is only necessary when repairs are being performed (unless otherwise noted):
Z Engine cooling system (antifreeze/coolant)
Z Automatic and manual transmissions
Z All-wheel drive transfer cases (except when indicated by the vehicle)”

They never really indicate what “Long Term” really means though. As far as transmissions failing after fluid changes, I think this is mostly old wives tale passed down from “seasoned” mechanics but there could be some truth to it in older designed transmissions possibly. You have a lot of friction material moving around in old fluid and the filters were kind of a joke in older transmissions. if you change that out, you may be removing the only thing still providing grip on an otherwise worn out transmission and soon see slip. You also take a chance on dislodging material that ends up in the valve body causing shifting issues. While I don’t think this is as much if an issue as it once was, let’s give the folks a break when they pass along info they’ve heard potentially from people they trust. As for me, I’ll be changing all my differential, transfer case and transmission fluids much sooner because it’s hella cheaper than buying new parts.

[Tejas1836]

2023 X5MC
(Tanzanite Blue ii is a chick magnet for some reason, but I digress)
I drive this like I drove my E92 M3, like it was designed to be driven
For the F95 (I drive about 8-9K miles/yr, no towing)- engine oil will be every 5K miles, these run hot ≥210º F; Trans' oil every 50K miles; Diff' oil every 40K miles; Plugs every 30K miles
ETA: Brake fluid every 2 years, coolant every 5 years

[TheACN]

[QUOTE=Tejas1836;29695724]
(Tanzanite Blue ii is a chick magnet for some reason, but I digress)

Alpine white isn't